Aerial images of the crash show a smoldering trailer and an overturned bus.

The Statesville Record & Landmark reports the chartered tour bus was carrying "senior adults" from the Front Street Baptist Church in Statesville, who were on their way back from a trip to Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Multiple news outlets are quoting Tennessee Highway Patrol as saying eight people died in the accident. Brad Phillips, the director of the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, said during a press conference that 12 victims had been taken to the hospital by ambulance and by helicopter.

Phillips said the National Transportation Safety Board would be investigating the cause of the accident.

Update at 4:38 p.m. ET. A Church Bus:

WBIR-TV reports the bus was carrying "senior adults" from the Front Street Baptist Church in Statesville, N.C.

"The bus was eastbound on I-40 when it 'traveled across the median and struck a tractor-trailer and passenger car that were traveling westbound,' according to Tennessee Department of Safety spokeswoman Dalya Qualls.

"'The tractor-trailer caught fire and the bus overturned,' Qualls said. 'There are multiple fatalities and injuries at this time.'"